Don't you think that if you live and work in America, you should speak English??

Answer 1

yes, yes, yes!
think of this way. if you moved to a spanish or other speaking language country, don't you think that they would expect you to learn their language, instead of them trying to bend over backwards to try to learn your language! we are an english speaking country. we are getting more and more spanish speaking people here. that's fine, if they are legal.(I guess), but they should learn our language not the other way around.!!##!!

Answer 2

This country was founded with the English language, English is the world language because of the united states influence throughout the world. but like no other country we do not have an official language, which I think is a bad thing. I feel that English should be the official language, not only because most of the natural born citizens only speak English. but until recent times all immigrants had to learn to speak and write English before they were given a job or vote or get naturalized. that should have never changed. english should be the only language spoken at work or anywhere else that you interact with the general population.

Answer 3

I think that anyone working in America should try to understand and communicate in English, but this is not to say that they have to speak perfect English or that they cannot speak their own native languages when they want. When US citizens go out of North America, they most often don't try to speak other languages either. I guess it's human nature to find it hard to learn other languages after a certain age.

Answer 4

YES. People keep thinking its wrong to force people to speak a language of a particular country.

In the big picture its called protocol. For example, for computers to talk to one another, a protocol has to be developed and every programmer and manufacture has to agree to that protocol in order for everything to work and communicate.

Did you know the offical language (or protocol) for pilots is English. Any pilot anywhere in the world must know how to speak English. Flying was first formalized here and in England. So the rule was set. Can you image an in flight emergency and a pilot from Russia has to make an emergency landing but can't speak with the Air Traffic controllers where ever he is. So the protocol for commercial, public flight is English. Air flyers and Air traffic controlers must speak English.

It works the way it should. So what is the problem with someone wanting to be an American and us requiring them to speak English?

Answer 5

An American tourist takes the evening flight on Delta Airlines to Moscow. Just as the plane passes over England, a lovely young Russian flight attendant wakes him up and asks him if he would like breakfast. "Hmmmmm," says the American tourist. "What are my choices?"
"Da eelee nyet," says the flight attendant. (Translates as "Yes or No."

To answer your question, I think people who become naturalized as American citizens should definitely have to learn English, unless they are over 75 years old or have already been here for 20 years on a green card. You shouldn't have to know English fluently when you first arrive. English should be the official language, but a great deal of effort should be made to encourage Americans to learn a lot more languages in school. That said, if you come as an immigrant and already know 2 or 3 other unrelated languages (not including Spanish or one of the ones regularly taught), you should be exempted from having to learn an extra foreign language like Spanish, and every effort should be made to teach you English.

Answer 6

No, it does help. For example, my mother speaks ans understands English enough to get by. Not because she doesn't want to but because she has always had her kids resolve everything for her plus some of these people that don't ever learn it is because they either live in a community which speaks their native tongue or because they work in places where it's not really necessary.

Answer 7

Well..... yes and no. In this country we have freedom of speech, so if someone were to come to this country they should be allowed to use their native tongue. However ( I don't mean to sound racist) if you are working, esp. at something like a cashier at a fast food place, at least understand enough English to get the order right ( less grumpy customers). After all, those who fist spoke English here, were once immigrants too. Anyone should be able to say what they want.

Answer 8

In the whole history of immigration into America - the generation that emigrated here does not usually learn English very well. The second generation is usually the ones fluent in English.
Why do you expect this group to be different?

Answer 9

Yes, because in America you should learn the language English so that you can communicate properly with almost anyone.
Your native language is fine to know, but you should only use it if you are around other people who are from the same country as you.

Answer 10

no. What if you work as a bilingual customer service rep? What if you work at a Mexican store or a Chinese market? Plus what if you are just at walmart with family or friends? Why should ANYONE, especially a stranger, tell us what we can speak or not speak? I think it is beneficial for immigrants to learn English, but I will never support people telling them they HAVE to!

Answer 11

Yes. You are in the U.S.A. you were given access there (I hope) you should follow our rules. Speak English (before all you call me a nativist, let me tell you that I am learning Spanish and Japanese, an dI would start studing intensly if I moved to a foreign country).